Ouaddou Explains Mabasa Loan As Pirates Target Nedbank Cup Success

Orlando Pirates coach Abdelsam Ouaddou has addressed the decision to allow striker Tshegofatso Mabasa to join Stellenbosch FC on loan, though he appeared reluctant to go into detail.

Ouaddou instead pointed out that the question posed to him combined two issues, saying he would have preferred it to focus solely on playing at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Pirates remained in Durban after their midweek Betway Premiership victory against AmaZulu on Tuesday.

With Pirates locked in a tight title race with Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs, Mabasa was sent out on loan in the second half of the season. He made an immediate impact at Stellenbosch, scoring on his debut as Gavin Hunt’s side defeated Sekhukhune United.

Unlike Yanela Mbuthuma and Evidence Makgopa, who are known for pressing defenders and preventing teams from building from the back, Mabasa offers a different profile. He is a classic “fox in the box,” whose primary strength is scoring goals.

Mabasa won the PSL Golden Shoe in the 2023/24 season with Pirates, despite also spending the first half of that campaign at Moroka Swallows — another decision that raised eyebrows.

According to reports, Mabasa has declined to extend his contract with Pirates, a situation that has reportedly frustrated the club and contributed to the decision to send him out on loan.

“If you have finished the question about the stadium, I would be happy,” Ouaddou said when asked about Mabasa, drawing laughter from both himself and the media.

“I wish all the best to my brother, Mabasa. I think he is in Stellenbosch now, and I don’t think it is worth speaking about somebody who is no longer with the club.

“But I wish him all the best because he is a player that I love and a good human being.”

Pirates will face ABC Motsepe League side Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila in the Nedbank Cup round of 32 at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, having remained in Durban throughout the week. The team has had to contend with the city’s persistent humidity.

Despite the conditions, Pirates have enjoyed a strong record at the venue this season, winning all four matches played there, including Tuesday’s victory over AmaZulu that took them to the top of the Betway Premiership standings.

Those wins were against Durban City in the league, Richards Bay in the Carling Knockout Cup semi-final, the All-Star team in the Carling Cup, and AmaZulu in the league.

Pirates previously lifted the Nedbank Cup at Moses Mabhida Stadium in the 2013/14 season, when they defeated Gavin Hunt’s Bidvest Wits. Ironically, their last defeat at the iconic 2010 FIFA World Cup venue came in last season’s Nedbank Cup final against Kaizer Chiefs.

“We love it here. Every time we come here, we win. The last time we played, it was a bit windy and very difficult,” Ouaddou said.

“Durban is a really nice city. We have a lot of support here, and I love it. The people are very nice.”